CalFire crews were dispatched to a medical emergency at Francis State Beach in Half Moon Bay for someone trapped by sand in a collapsed tunnel on Monday.

Crews found a 26-year-old man completely covered by sand at 5:30 p.m.

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On Wednesday, the sand victim was identified as Adam Jay Pye, of San Lorenzo, Calif.

The California State University East Bay graduate had been camping with friends in Half Moon Bay and was digging a 10-foot-deep sand cave when it collapsed.

Pye's friends frantically dug with their hands alongside dozens of firefighters who also worked aggressively to dig Pye out. It took 35 minutes to extricate the victim from the sand, CalFire Captain Jonathan Cox said.

"Paramedics administered advanced life support throughout the incident, however, the patient succumbed to his injuries," Cox said.

Paramedics managed to open Pye's airways, but he died at the scene.

Cox warned beach-goers that there are many hidden dangers around the ocean.

"Remember to stay away from cliffs, use caution when swimming in big surf and refrain from digging too deeply in the sand," Cox said.

On Pye's death, Cox said, "It is one of those situations that can go from having a good time on the beach with friends and family to extremely dangerous and critical within seconds."